‘But still. I felt it.
‘“You seem an uncommon man, Gabriel de León,” Isabella told me. “Would that some of our loving husband’s generals were so bold.”
‘“A friend of mine told me recklessness is a more admirable quality than foolishness, Majesty,” I said, eyes downturned. “Though I often fail to see the difference.”
‘“Your friend sounds a wise one.”
‘“It is for her I’d beg favour, Majesty.”
‘“Ah. A her. Now you are descending into cliché, Chevalier. Who is this maid for whom you beg? No wife you can claim now your vows are sworn, that much is sure.”
‘“… Astrid Rennier.”
‘Isabella’s smile wavered. Only for a second, but yet, I saw it. And more, a hint of something darker behind those beautiful blue eyes.
‘Displeasure.
‘“Astrid has yet to make vow to the Silver Sorority. I’d beg Your Majesty for mercy and an end to her exile. She fought bravely at the Twins, standing where almost no one else dared. And Astrid’s peerage is not her fault. She does not belong here.”
‘The Empress regarded me carefully.
‘“I should have known. Such was her mother’s nature also. The serpent sinks her fangs wherever she lays her head. Even, apparently, in a house of God.” Isabella studied her fingernails, lips pursed. “In love with her, are you? Know that you are not the first fly to fall into that pot of honey, Little Lion. She had many favourites at court, your dear Astrid. And she played them all like fiddles. As she now plays you.”
‘“I most humbly beg your pardon, Majesty,” I said, swallowing hard. “But the sisternovice had no knowing I’d speak on her behalf.”
‘I was terrified to talk so, but it wasn’t fear of an empress’s wrath. If my wish were granted, I’d never lay eyes on Astrid again. I thought about our meetings in this very library, wondering how empty this place might feel without her in it. And yet, I couldn’t forget the debt I owed her, nor how miserable she was, looking at the walls that had become her prison. I’d miss her like a part of me had been cut away. But hearts only bruise, she’d told me. And if she were happy, that was a price I’d gladly pay.
‘Sweet Redeemer, I do love her …
‘“What will you give us, Chevalier, should we grant you this boon?”
‘“Loyalty. Loyalty unto death.”
‘“We are your Empress, Gabriel de León. You owe us that already.” Isabella paused, looking down at those wooden wolves and bears and roses scattered across the realm at her feet, the ravens lurking yet west of the Godsend. “And yet, we cannot deny that God Himself seems to have set you apart. It was not by chance alone that you discovered the Forever King’s ploy, nor that you survived the storm where so many others fell.” Her eyes met mine, glittering like the jewels on her brow. “We think perhaps the Almighty has a plan for you.”
‘I thought of little Chloe then. Her words that night the star fell from heaven.
‘Isabella inclined her head. “So be it.”
‘My heart rushed so hard at those words that it ached, and I wondered if it would have hurt less if Isabella had denied me. I bowed low, hair sweeping to the floor.
‘“I am in your debt, Majesty. Your mercy knows no bounds.”
‘“Oh, be sure and certain it does, Chevalier.” The Empress gazed out upon the map of the empire, her voice hard as iron. “Our mercy is quite at its limits. So grow not too comfortable here in San Michon. We shall call upon you, Gabriel de León. And soon.”
‘Isabella offered her hand, fingers dipped in jewels and silver. I couldn’t help but think of the first night I’d spoken to Astrid then, here beneath this very roof. The hand she’d offered and I’d then kissed, and that I was now letting go of forever.
‘I pressed my lips to Isabella’s knuckles. “Empress.”
‘“Leave us now,” she commanded.
‘And like a good little soldier, I obeyed.’
XVIII
A STORY YOU CAN LIVE
‘I RETURNED TO the Library later that night, at the hour we usually met.
‘I wasn’t certain I was doing the right thing. My belly was a cold fist, my heart punching on in my chest. This last year, I’d made more than my fair share of mistakes, reckless gambits, blind assumptions, thinking in my vanity that I knew better. And though I was now a knight of the empire, a sworn silversaint, though I’d seen through the machinations of a Forever King, I still waited there in the shadows of the forbidden section, staring into the light of our single candle, wondering if I was a fool.
‘But I wasn’t left to wonder long.
‘My pulse ran quicker as I heard careful footsteps. Quiet and quick. A now-familiar tread, working its way through the warren of shelves and curiosities and dusty books, into our little sanctuary from the world. I wondered if she’d be angry with me. Wondered what she’d say. Wondered if this was going to end the way I thought it might. And as the footsteps reached the end of the warren, he stepped out into the light, faux outrage already on his face, accusation already spilling from his lips.
‘“What devilry is this?”
‘I eased my boots off the table. “Bonsoir, Seraph.”
‘Talon looked about the room, moustache quivering as he realized I was alone.
‘“Expecting someone else?”
‘“This section of the Library is forbidden, de León.”
‘“I’m not an initiate any more, Seraph. I go where I please.”
‘“And what are you doing in here in the middle of the night?”
‘“Waiting for you.”
‘“Me?”
‘“I felt you in my head earlier.”
‘The thin man looked me up and down, spat through sharpening teeth. “How dare you accuse me of such? Brother ’saints do not use their gifts upon each other in San Michon without consent, you frailblooded little arselicker.”
‘“I know that’s why you’re here, Talon. Hoping to catch me and Astrid like you caught Aaron and Baptiste. A good hunter uses the appetites of their prey against them. Want is a weakness, isn’t it? How better to be rid of me with hands white as angels’ wings?”
‘“So you admit it. You have been meeting a sisternovice in here.”
‘“But how could you have known that? Unless you’ve been in my head?”
‘“I have eyes, de León. I see the way she looks at you.”
‘“Oh, oui. I’ve no doubt you’ve been watching all the sisternovices. Deciding which to take for your new aide? It’s been months since Sister Aoife died. That girl you murdered in Coste probably didn’t do much to scratch the itch.”
‘Talon’s eyes narrowed to slits in his skull. “What did you just say?”
‘“The serving girl in Coste keep. You framed it well enough with vampires on the loose in the ch?teau. But you were on the loose too, Talon. Alone. And when you showed up in the ballroom after Laure arrived, your eyes were red as blood.”
‘“So were Greyhand’s. I’d just smoked a pipe of sanctus, you filthy bog-skank.”